*05/18* day 12, we candled & have movement!!

[sonew123]

I kept my humidity between 35-45% the whole 18 days it even fell to 25% a few times but it didn't bother me. day 19 I added a wet sponge and it jumped to 65% which is where I pretty much kept it and a bunch started hatching out Tues/Wed. I noticed though it wasn't enough humidity because it was taking a long time to hatch out after pipping-the membrane was really gluing to them and I had to help a few out after 24 hours-I still have 15 silkie eggs left to go-I have 2 so far they are beautiful!!!

 

[kysilkies]

We've been keeping our at 50%(too high????) and plan to go to 60-65% on day 18...

 

[JewellFarm]

We just hatched 17 out of 21 using low humidity. We had humidity in the 30's to low 40's for the first 18 days then around 60-65 percent for the last 3.

 

[sonew123]

I would say 50% is too high for now-let it go down to 35-40%-drain some out-soak it up with a paper towel? I leave mine on the low end until the end right now mine is at 70% temp 100.2 and rising. They are ahtching out ok..

 

[kysilkies]

It's a still air bator and I couldn't get to the water LOL without taking off screen...Can I just remove a couple of plugs from the top to let out more moisture until the levels come down?...I can still adjust the temp to keep it constant...

The excitement and anticipation is killing us...I'm sure we're preaching to the choir on that point...

 

[sonew123]

I always kept one plug out from the start-I have a still air too. you can remove the other plug for a bit when it gets to 40% put it back in and if it creeps back up just remove the plug again-you should be just fine...

 

[kysilkies]

Thank you!

 

[kysilkies]

We candled last night(day 10) and could see almost nothing

We've tried to light sources, high powered LED light and small cardboard box that fits over lamp with small hole in top to rest egg on...Neither method showed anything, we as total newbs, could get excited about...

We're finding it tough to see anything thru the brown shells, is this normal for silkies?!?!?!...

We're thinking of just letting them go, forget candling them, and hope for the best...We're very good about the temp/humidity as well as turning them so we should get whatever the good lord intends us to have...Out of 8 eggs we would excited with 2 but of course want many more!...

 

[sonew123]

If you can't see anything I would just let them go--If you keep candeling you may do more harm than good....If your turning 3x a day and temp and humidty are good you should be fine...you may want to candle on day 18 just to see if you can see movement by the air cell..other than that patience!!!

 

[kysilkies]

>>>other than that patience!!!

Is there a link to get that someplace?

hehe